Acura says the new LMDh ARX-06 benefits from Honda’s F1 knowledge of its hybrid powertrain system, which is one reason why it makes a ‘strange noise’ under braking. explain.
Honda Performance Development (HPD) president David Salters has revealed that his staff have been working closely with Japan’s Honda Racing (HRC). At HRC, his two-time F1 World Championship-winning F1 power unit and hybrid system were conceived.
David Salters, who worked with Mercedes-Benz high-performance engines in Formula 1 before the Hybrid Turbo era, said relying on Honda’s vast knowledge will be the first in the IMSA Sportscar Championship to feature hybridisation in the new GTP class. He said it helped the development program. .
“We are working with our colleagues at HRC, which is very special and a real honor,” said Salters.
“A lot of us at HPD had experience with electrification and knew it was coming, but we’re always trying to grow the group, so we’re really trying to get some people into the F1 programme. , energy management, etc.
“Hopefully we can see the benefits. We have a very smart guy leading one of our groups. He lived in Japan and was part of the F1 programme. Together with his F1 colleagues. We are lucky to have the job, we have regular talks and they have been very helpful to us in terms of energy management, hybridisation and electrification.”
“I’m happy to be honest with you. It’s a good way to show that a company can invest in different things and get different benefits.”
At last week’s pre-season testing at Daytona, the Acura ARX-06 made a helicopter-like noise under braking that was distinctly different from its BMW, Cadillac and Porsche rivals.
Asked why the Acura ARX-06 makes this sound, David Salters said, “As Freddie Mercury sang, ‘It’s some kind of magic!'” commented David Soldado.
“As you can imagine, we try to do all sorts of things, but that’s the fun with these cars. These cars are the future and they’re pretty cool.”
“We apply the brakes and try to regenerate to charge the battery. We also apply engine braking to manage the brake-by-wire system, but all this apparently makes a strange noise. “
“We’re trying to protect some parts in terms of everything from braking, recuperation, how we manage braking, etc. We don’t want the driveline to vibrate, so when we do these things we want to make sure we don’t damage the parts. I need to program an event.”
“All of this conspires, engine braking, recuperation, managing the car into corners and electrification converge to make that noise in the end. No problem! Pretty cool, right?”
“I’d like to sit here and argue that it’s intentional, but it’s semi-intentional. Basically it’s managing the energy going through the corners at the moment, so it’s probably going to change. We also try not to break anything, and it sounds great.”
The Acura ARX-06 will debut at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of January.
Category: F1 / honda f1 / IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship